Dan Hornbuckle (born December 26, 1980) is an American former mixed martial artist and a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. A professional since 2006, Hornbuckle has competed for Bellator, Legacy FC, World Victory Road, and DEEP.

Hornbuckle was born in Mahomet, Illinois, and attended Centennial High School where he competed in wrestling and football. Growing up, he faced adversity being Native American, and was often the victim of racism. He began mixed martial arts when he was 24 years old.^[1]

When he first began fighting, Hornbuckle weighed 215 pounds and received his nickname due to the way he dominated his opponents with very little technique but using his strength and toughness. In the early part of his career, Hornbuckle went 19–2 with significant knockout wins against Akihiro Gono and Nick Thompson in Sengoku. These two wins brought his name to international prominence and launched his career in 2009. On December 17, 2009 Bellator announced the signing of Hornbuckle to a multi-fight Welterweight tournament contract.^[2]

At Bellator 15, Hornbuckle defeated Tyler Stinson via first round triangle choke to advance to the semifinals of the Bellator Welterweight Tournament. He then defeated Steve Carl via submission (kimura) at Bellator 19 to advance to the finals of the Bellator Welterweight Tournament. This victory was a candidate for 2010 submission of the year. In the finals, Hornbuckle fought Olympic wrestler, Ben Askren. The fight took place at Bellator 22 on June 17, at the Kansas City Power and Light District in Kansas City, Mo.,^[3] with Askren winning by unanimous decision. The fight saw Askren implement a dominant top game on the ground that stifled Hornbuckle's bottom game. Hornbuckle made his return to Bellator against former UFC Welterweight Brad Blackburn at Bellator 25 on August 19, 2010.^[4] He won the fight via unanimous decision in what was largely a three-round kickboxing battle. Despite being knocked down in the first round, Hornbuckle recovered and won the next two rounds to win a unanimous decision.

Hornbuckle then participated in the Bellator Season Four Welterweight Tournament. In his opening round fight against Brent Weedman at Bellator 35, Hornbuckle lost a unanimous decision, 29–28 on all three judges scorecards. The fight was notably close and the decision was booed by the crowd after being announced. He was scheduled to fight former Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good at Bellator 44, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, a hamstring injury forced Lyman Good off the card, and the bout was scrapped. Hornbuckle entered into the Bellator Season Five Welterweight Tournament. He fought Luis Santos in the opening round held at Bellator 49 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After losing two consecutive fights in Bellator, Hornbuckle was released from the promotion along with Wilson Reis.^[5]

Over a year later, Hornbuckle returned to MMA competition against Pete Spratt on February 1, 2013 at Legacy FC 17. He won the fight via unanimous decision.^[6] Hornbuckle then challenged Yuya Shirai for his DEEP Welterweight Championship on April 26, 2013 at DEEP: Impact 62. He won the fight and the title via unanimous decision.^[7] In his next outing, Hornbuckle dropped a majority decision to Dennis Hallman on August 30, 2013 at Titan FC 26.^[8] He put his DEEP Welterweight Championship on the line against Ryo Chonan at DEEP: Tribe Tokyo Fight on October 20, 2013. He lost the title via unanimous decision.^[9] Hornbuckle then faced Dominique Steele at Driven MMA: One on March 1, 2014. Hornbuckle lost the bout via unanimous decision.^[10] Hornbuckle faced Roger Carroll at FTP: Fight Time in the Valley on August 9, 2014. He lost the fight via submission in the first round, suffering his fourth consecutive loss.^[11]

In addition to being a professional mixed martial artist, Hornbuckle works as a fire suppression system installer.^[12] He is married and has three daughters. Hornbuckle opened his own academy, American Top Team WarHawks, in Mahomet, Illinois.

• Bellator MMA
  • Bellator Season Two Welterweight Tournament Runner Up
• DEEP
  • DEEP Welterweight Championship (One time)